Machete Attack On Man Outside KIA Forum, Victim May Lose Arm
The Kia Forum Timothy Norris/Getty Images
Hawthorne resident James O’Neill was attacked last Saturday while trying to catch an Uber after a concert at the KIA Forum.
KABC reports the 36-year-old man attended a Janet Jackson concert at the Forum. After the event, O’Neill claims he was walking alone on Prairie Avenue when about eight men began attacking him. One of the mob slashed him with a machete, then robbed him or his wallet and phone. He was left with a gash in his arm.
“I kind of had tunnel vision, started thinking of friends and family. Yeah just thinking that my life is going to end and it was just horrible,” O’Neill said to the media outlet.
Bystanders stepped in to stop the assault, then bandaged his wound.
O’Neill went to the hospital, where medical personnel indicated several surgeries would be required, and that he may lose his arm. He has no medical insurance.
A friend created a GoFundMe account to help him while in recovery.